1
2
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
there's no need to agitate the patient about little things
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to discuss
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitate
Stir minimally, to combine ingredients but to agitate the bubbles as little as possible.
—
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
Marchand built his reputation as an agitating, scrappy forward who knows how to get under the opponent’s skin while also producing on the scoresheet and was named captain ahead of the 2023-24 season, succeeding Patrice Bergeron for the role.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Case in point was the second period, when Hartman agitated Gudbranson on a potentially game-swinging penalty.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
What is the best way to investigate a spirit without agitating it?
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
Marchand built his reputation as an agitating, scrappy forward who knows how to get under the opponent’s skin while also producing on the scoresheet and was named captain ahead of the 2023-24 season, succeeding Patrice Bergeron for the role.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Case in point was the second period, when Hartman agitated Gudbranson on a potentially game-swinging penalty.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
What is the best way to investigate a spirit without agitating it?
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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In a large bowl, stir together fennel, garlic, heavy cream, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and 1 cup parmesan until evenly combined.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
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Dissolve soda in milk; stir into shortening mixture.—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rose tells Shaw that her community is concerned about sacred remains being disturbed.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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The 34-year-old appeared to have deactivated her X account after disturbing posts on her account resurfaced online.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Light shaking was detected, and people in several cities - including Hercules, San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland and Fremont - reported feeling the tremor, according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Trim the dead parts, shake the soil off, and store them in a cool, dark location where they are protected from the cold.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Previous Japanese leaders have avoided discussing Taiwan in the context of a military response.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
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In a May promo clip introducing the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance RC65, New Balance’s global VP of lifestyle and basketball, Brian Lynn, discussed the origins of the new model.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The clanging of dirty dishes being gathered in the back kitchen does not bother her.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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Instagram and TikTok are littered with stories of women and their unsupportive husbands, men who can't remember their own children's birthdays or be bothered to take a weekend off from their golf hobby to spend time with their families.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The whole place was vibrating from the power of the storm.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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At a home in eastern Jamaica, which avoided the worst of the Melissa’s impacts, Edma felt the building's concrete walls vibrate as the storm barreled across the island.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This phenomenon has long been debated in theory, but now the impact can be observed directly across a large population of stars.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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At a conference in 1969, when other physicists were debating the very existence of gravitational waves, Weber presented evidence supporting their direct detection.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Moreover, 14% of more than 1,000 respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by a smartphone—often resulting in injury or damage to property.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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Critics said the milestones are too weak, and that Musk is distracted by side ventures.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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